Multi-panel folding tables and method

ABSTRACT

A plurality of extremely flexible, functional, convertible and potentially compact tables having various optional features are disclosed. The tables comprise 4 or more folding table top panels, two or more joining pieces, four or more fixed legs and four or more swing out supporting legs and can be used in any of several configurations to serve from one to more than a dozen people. In its most compact configuration it is useful as a hall or wall table taking up very little space making it especially useful for apartments, condos, small homes, schools, churches and offices. Its extremely compact configuration makes it less costly to inventory and ship for the manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer, and to store and/or use by the consumer.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 63/391,515 filed May 2, 2016. The invention involves multi-panel folding tables that can be used in a variety of configurations and folded down into a very compact configuration for storage or use as a hall or wall table.

BACKGROUND

There are hundreds of different kinds of kitchen tables, dining tables, church tables, school tables and work or project tables. There are also many kinds of expandable tables including those with separate leaves, hidden leaves and folding leaves or panels. One kind of expandable tables are those with a center portion and two swing up/down leaves, each leaf held in the up, use position with one swing out piece or leg. The center portion of this latter type of table is usually large enough for storing things like large bowls, vases, etc. that can be very heavy.

With the trend today being more people living in apartments, condos and even small houses, a need has been created for an expandable table that takes up very little room most of the time, but is expandable when needed to serve more people for parties, extended family dinners, meetings, work, etc. The two swing up/down leaf table mentioned above meets some of these type of needs, but falls short for many because it will seat at most about 8 people. What is needed is a table that can seat as many as 14-16 or still more people, but still be very compact, and flexible when less than this number is using the table, e.g. from no one to 1-4 people. Long ago a table was made having four folding top panels and having one swing out leg for supporting each panel when the panels were raised, however with that table the swing out legs were short, not reaching out to provide real good support for the panel due to the construction of the table. With that old, prior art table, the ratio of the reach of the outer edge of the support leg on the swing out leg to the width of the table top panels was only 0.50 or less and the ratio of the reach of the outer edge of the support leg on the swing out leg to the length of the table top panels was only 0.60 or less. This structure arrangement would support the empty table or normally loaded table okay, but puts undesirable stress on the connecting hinge parts of the table when it is heavily loaded for a big meal with 10-12 people, especially when one or more persons use the table for support by placing their one or both elbows on the table which frequently happens. Also, higher density solid wood panels of the kinds normally used for tabletops and tabletop panels are heavy, making the raising and lowering of them more difficult and also putting more stress on the hinges and supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes tables that are extremely flexible, convertible, functional and compact when in use as a hall table, wall table or other type not in use as a large dining or work table. The table of the invention is also compact when only one panel is raised to serve as a very small table with the other panels against a wall or in an open area, such as used as a kitchen table, desk, work table, etc. The table of the invention can have various uses, Is easily convertible to a compact table for 1-4 people or for 4-8 or 10 people, or further easily convertible for 14-16 or even more people. To save space, hereafter the table-top panel(s) will be called a TTP or TTPs and the swing-out-leg(s) will be called an SOL or SOLs. Further these tables are simple and easy to manufacture at modest cost and extremely compact for shipping and storage, further reducing their cost as they move to the wholesaler, retailer and customers' living and/or learning and/or working and/or fellowship quarters. A novel feature of some of the tables of the invention is their flexibility, functionality and particularly their ability of compactness for storage or for use as a hall table, wall table or the like. These tables of the invention have a volume, in their most compact configuration of less than 7.8% or less of their volume in the fully opened configuration.

The invention includes tables comprised of at least 4 TTPs, 2 joining pieces, each TTP hinged at adjoining edge(s) with either another TTP or a joining piece, each joining piece having a fixed or semi-fixed table leg attached at or near each end of the joining piece, each joining piece having at least two SOLs attached thereto, each SOL attached to the joining piece with a pin on one end of a swiveling leg of the SOL that enters a hole in the joining piece and a pin on the opposite end of the swiveling leg that enters a lower connecting piece connecting the two opposite fixed or semi-fixed table legs permitting the SOLs to swivel to move a supporting leg on each SOL out to support a raised TTP, the ratio of the distance from the center line of the swivel pin to the outer edge of the supporting leg on at least one of the SOLs to the width of the TTP it supports being at least 0.6 and/or the ratio of the distance from the center line of the swivel pin to the outer edge of the supporting leg on at least one of the SOLs to the length of the TTP it supports being at least 0.70, preferably at least 0.75 and most preferably in the range of 0.80 to 1, or more, or from 0.85 or 0.9 to 1 or more.

Preferably the table of the invention includes the above description, but wherein the distance from the center line of the swivel pin to the outer edge of the supporting leg on at least one of the SOLs being at least 0.65, 0.7 or more. Also preferably, the table described above has at least 3 or 4 SOLs attached to at least one of the gate legs. Other preferred embodiments include any of the tables described above wherein the supporting leg on at least one of the SOLs is attached to the rest of the SOL with two or more slides that allow the supporting leg to be slid out far enough to achieve a ratio of the distance from the center line of the swivel pin to the outer edge of the supporting leg of at least 0.65, or at least 0.7. Still other preferred embodiments include any of the tables described above wherein the table comprises one or more lightweight TTP's and/or at least 6 TTPs with at least 3 joining pieces.

The tables of the invention comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more TTPs, with each TTP joining at least one other adjoining TTP with one or more hinges on either adjoining TTP edge portions or to an edge of a joining piece, preferably a crosspiece of small width, such that their adjoining edges are either butted together or are in fairly close proximity when the adjoining or close by TTP are raised into the use position to form one or more (TTPs) and/or one or more joining pieces. The joining piece provides space for fixed or semi-fixed table legs. Also, optionally, adjoining TTPs can also be further hinged together with a hinge on each side, attached to outer, opposite edges of the two TTPs.

Each TTP is supported in a raised position with one or more SOLs that hinge or swing out from a lower cross piece and an upper cross piece of each joining piece, and preferably, but not necessarily, separate into two or more SOL supports. The upper and lower cross pieces are preferably attached at their ends to fixed legs. The SOL, when in a supporting position, are not necessarily in the way of people's legs and feet when sitting at the tables of the invention. One, or two, SOL for at least one of the TTPs can be extendable to provide better support for the TTP. One way of making them extendable is to use one or two sliding or telescoping connectors between the support leg of the SOL and the remainder of the SOL where the support leg attaches to the remainder of the SOL. There are many available slideable connectors, such as used on kitchen cabinet drawers, usable in the invention, as there are also many types of telescoping connectors, such as telescoping rod and tube connectors, regardless of the cross-section shape of the rod and tube.

Some embodiments of the table of the invention can have one or more of the SOLs like or similar to those of the prior art or meeting the limitations of those in the prior two paragraphs, but also having at least one of the SOLs, preferably at least the two middle TTPs, biased to open when an adjoining TTP is raised sufficiently to allow it to swing out under the TTP. The bias a link between at least one SOL and a cross piece of the table or a fixed leg of the table such that when a TTP to be supported by the SOL is raised into a use position said at least one SOL will be moved into a TTP supporting position by the link even if not in the desired supporting position. Preferred links include things that can stretch and then recover to move said SOL into a supporting position such as a bunge cord, old type screen door spring and the like, and any combination of these. Other types of springs can be used to achieve this action, e.g. a torsion spring mounted on the post of the SOL attached to the upper and lower cross pieces with the torsion spring attached at or adjacent to the lower cross piece in a known manner, given the disclosure herein, said SOL is prevented from moving much until the TTP it will support is in a use position or very near a use position, so as said TTP is raised this action also stretches the link and when said TTP in in a use position, or near a use position, the stretched link then will pull the SOL into a supporting position. If this supporting position is not quite in a desired supporting position the it can then be easily moved into the desired position without having to also hold up said TTP, something that can be difficult for a child or some other people. This feature is a big improvement applicable to any gate leg or SOL type table. This feature is particularly useful for those who would have difficulty raising a TTP while also swinging out the appropriate SOL, particularly when raising the center two TTPs. This optional feature for one or more of the TTP's can be an An optional feature for one or more of the TTP's is an elastic link between the underside of the TTP and its SOL such that when the TTP is raised, the link pulls the SOL into a supporting position, preferably at or near the desired supporting position. The link can be a length of bunge cord, pull spring, torsion spring(s) and the like, and any combination of these. An option is an elastic link between the underside of the TTP and its SOL such that when the TTP is raised, the link pulls the SOL into a supporting position, preferably at or near the desired supporting position. The link can be a length of bunge cord, pull spring, torsion spring(s) and the like, and any combination of these.

The top surface of the TTP's in the table of the invention can be most any kind of wood, artificial wood, plastic, metal or fabric, but usually wood having a pretty or interesting grain and finish. Preferably, to reduce the weight of the TTP's for ease of raising or lowering the TTP's, the TTP's are comprised of a light weight center portion, core with a thin layer of veneer covering at least the top of the TTP's when they are in the raised position. The bottoms of the TTP's can also have an exposed veneer layer, but need not be the same as that at the tops of the TTP's and preferably are smooth to permit the SOLs to slide easily and smoothly into place. The center portion, core of the preferred TTP's can be comprised of a number of lightweight structures including low density woods including balsa, bamboo and other woods having a density of less than 30 pounds/cubic foot, preferably less than 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18.5, 18 or less than 15 to 17.75 lbs./cubic foot and any specific density or ranges of densities less than 30 lbs./cubic foot, e.g. less than 23.5-18.5 lbs./cubic foot. Other suitable materials for the cores of the TTPs include plywood, perforated or slotted plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), chip board, fiberboard, cork, honeycomb structures of composite material including polymer foam, foam board of various types including perforated or slotted foam board, and the like. The veneer layer can be any known veneer material and attached to the lightweight core by known techniques. Veneers have been used for decades if not centuries and many ways of attaching are well known. The veneered TTP's can also have 2-4 edges trimmed with trim pieces to cover up the cross-sections of the TTP's showing the core and veneer layer(s). The trim can be very thin and can have rounded exposed edges as desired and attached in with any known methods for attaching trim. Any type of trim can be used as a matter of choice as is well known in the art for trimming one or more edges of panels.

For the past several years and continuing today there is a big trend to apartment and condo living, and also smaller houses. This means smaller rooms requiring smaller and more flexible furniture. The tables of this invention are perfect for these needs since most of the time they will be in compact or fairly compact arrangement, but still can be opened up to accommodate parties and family gatherings. Due to their simplicity they are less costly to manufacture and their compactness reduces inventory and shipping costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of what one of the embodiments of the tables of the invention looks like when all the TTPs are folded up to seat 10-16 people.

FIG. 2 a perspective view, is the table of FIG. 1 with all its TTPs folded down producing the most compact configuration, a small table 1 a useful as a small table for a hallway, kitchen, or for shipping and storage.

FIG. 2a is a different partial perspective view of the table 1 a of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but with the table 1 a having its holding piece removed and turned upside down to observe 2 pairs of securing pins and 2 socket pairs, each pair for 2 of the securing pins.

FIG. 2c is a close up partial front view showing the upper parts of table 1 a.

FIG. 2d is a partial perspective view of a portion of the top of table 1 showing the.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1, but with only two of the four TTPs in the up position for seating 4-6 or more people.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 with only two of the four TTPs in the up position, but in a different arrangement than FIG. 3, for seating up to 4-6 people.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the table 1 of FIG. 1 with only one TTP raised to fob, an ideal compact table for a kitchen for seating 1-5 people.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view the underneath view of table 1 b of one of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5a , a partial perspective view, shows how the swivel pieces of the SOLs mounts to the upper and lower cross pieces.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the outer portion of one of the SOL configurations according to the invention.

FIG. 6a is a cross section of a bracket useable on the SOLs.

FIG. 6b is a partial front view of another SOL configuration according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the underneath side of a portion of the table of FIG. 1 with one of its TTPs lowered and one of the swing-out-legs of the invention swung out into its prior art supporting place.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the underneath side of a portion of the table similar to FIG. 1, but having a different SOL supporting a TTP according to the invention.

FIG. 8a shows some of the many possible fixed leg cross-sections useable on the table of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the underneath side of a portion of the table similar to FIG. 1, but having a two SOLs supporting a TTP according to the invention.

FIG. 9a is a partial perspective view of the upper lateral pieces of an SOL showing one way that an SOL can actually form two SOLs for one or more TTPs according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view providing a close-up partial perspective view photo of the underside of a TTP joined to a joining piece holding two SOLs with one SOL in supporting position, a cut-out in an upper cross piece for a supporting leg of an SOL and some piano type hinges joining the joining piece to two TTPs.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view providing a close-up view of a portion of an underside of a TTP and a joining piece, an upper cross piece and portions of other parts beneath the raised TTP.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the top of two adjoining TTPs showing a perspective view of one of two optional side hinges.

FIG. 12a is a partial perspective view of another optional side hinge usable in the invention.

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of a typical perforated plywood panel useful as a core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention and having a veneer on at least one of the major faces.

FIG. 13 a is a partial plan view of another typical perforated plywood panel useful as a core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention and having a veneer on at least one of the major faces.

FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of three typical honeycomb panels useful as a core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention and having a veneer on at least one of the major faces.

FIG. 14a is a partial plan view of another typical diamond pattern honeycomb panel useful as a core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention and having a veneer on at least one of the major faces.

FIGS. 15 through 15 d are cross sections of typical trim pieces useful on at least two of the exposed edges of the TTPs of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the table of the invention with one TTP almost open to show another optional feature of the invention whereby when a TTP is raised into a use position the supporting SOL will be pulled out automatically into a supporting position.

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective close up view of a swivel piece of an SOL in a open position having optional one or two torsion springs attached to it around its top and/or bottom portion(s) as a different embodiment of the feature described in the paragraph above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

The invention involves tables that in their compact configuration, and in a configuration with one TTP up in use position for 1-5 people are very compact and yet in their completely folded-out configurations can be used by 6-20 or even more people. The simplicity of the tables and their compactness make them ideal for manufacturing, inventorying, shipping, wholesaling, retailing and use by customers, particularly those living in apartments, condos, small homes, churches, day care, schools and even larger homes.

The tables are comprised of at least 2 TTPs and preferably at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 or more TTPs, 1 or two SOLs per TTP, 1 or 2, or more, 1 or more joining pieces, see FIG. 1, 26, 28, 4 or more fixed legs, at least one holding piece 5 and a plurality of hinges for joining some of the various parts together that will be shown in detail in later figures. FIG. 1 shows one table 1 of the invention having 4 TTP's 2, 4, 6 and 8 in a folded-out configuration, this embodiment having only one SOL per TTP, at least one of the SOLs being either extendable or positioned such as to be as long as desired to provide effective support for the TTP it supports. In this embodiment the 4 TTP's, elements 2, 4, 6 and 8 can be wood of any kind including, but not limited to solid, veneered, laminated, composite and the like or any combination thereof. The TTPs can also be plastic, metal, foam material of any practical type, honeycombed material, and/or any combination of the materials mentioned in this paragraph. Also, one or more of the parts of the TTP and SOL can be reinforced with reinforcing fibers, including woven or non-woven reinforcing fiber mat, scrim and/or fabric. Except in some instances for work tables, while the top of each TTP should be painted, covered with or be an attractive wood, or impregnated with an attractive material, the underside appearance is a mere matter of choice.

This table of FIG. 1 has 4 fixed legs 10, 12, 14, and 16, 2 joining pieces 26, 28, 2 lower cross pieces 30, 32, 2 upper cross pieces 34 (not shown), 36 (see FIGS. 5 and 10) and 4 SOLs 18, 20, 22, and 24. The term “fixed legs” means that the legs do not swing out like the SOLs, but does not mean that the fixed legs cannot rotate or slide from one position to another close by position with respect to the exposed and/or adjoining edges of the nearby TTPs. Optional side hinges 41 and 42 (opposite side and not shown) are seen on the outer edges of TTPs 4 and 6 where there outer edges adjoin. One of these optional side hinges is shown in close-up in FIG. 12. While the end TTPs 2 and 8 are shown as squares or rectangles the exposed corners of these end TTPs can be rounded or angled to make it easier for a person sitting at these exposed corners to eat or work when 5 people are sitting around one or both of the end TTPs 2 and 8.

As shown here, the table 1 embodiment, is set up in the condition of a prior art table to show the insufficiency of the SOLs, i.e. how short the SOLs reach out to support the TTPs 2, 4, 6 and 8, particularly the TTPs 2 and 8. While the prior art SOLs are sufficient for some uses, the stress becomes undesirably high when the table is full of dishes and heavy food bowls, trays, platters, full pitchers and 10-12 people sitting around the table with at least some leaning on its outer edges. While it can't be seen in FIG. 1, SOL 18, and preferably also SOL 24, and most preferably all 4 SOLs, are extendable to a longer length to better support the TTPs—this will be seen later in FIGS. 6, 6 a and 6 b . The invention includes other ways of providing better support for loaded TTPs as will also be seen later. Elements 50, 51, 52, 53 and 24 a are parts of SOLs and will be described later with other figures.

FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the 4 TTP table of FIG. 1, but in its most compact, folded-up configuration, table 1 a. The top of the compact configuration 1 a comprises the joining pieces 26 and 28 with a holding piece 5 that holds the compact configuration together in a manner as seen in FIG. 2b . In the compact configuration table 1 a shown in FIG. 2, the table 1 a can be set against a wall in a kitchen or hallway or other room and used as a table for vases, decorative items, phone stand(s), note pad and the like. It can also be easily stored in a closet, spare room or elsewhere taking up little space, especially when the fixed legs (can be semi-fixed) 10, 12, 14 and 16 are fitted with casters, preferably those that raise for table use and lower for moving the table around.

FIG. 2a , a perspective end view showing the table 1 a clearly shows just how compact this table 1 a is. To illustrate the compactness of many of the tables of the invention the volume of the table in their compact configuration is about 7.8 percent or less of the volume of the tables when fully opened up with all four of the TTPs in their horizontal use configuration, preferably less than 7.7, 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, 7.3 or even about 7.26 percent or less. This compactness is extremely important to the space that inventory requires by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, to shipping costs and to the individual ultimate owners of the tables, especially those living in apartments, condos and small homes. A typical table having this compactness is 124 inches long, 40 inches wide and 30.5 inches high in its fully opened configuration. These dimensions can By adding castors to the bottom of the fixed legs 10 and 12, 14 and 16 that aren't shown in this figure, this compact table can easily be rolled around to any room or location in the room, deck or patio. The castors can be of any known kind, but two or more of the castors would preferably be locking castors, or the castors could be the type that raise to place the bottoms of the fixed legs on the floor, and lower to become rolling castors.

FIG. 2b , a different perspective view of the table 1 a with the holding piece 5 removed from its holding position and turned upside down to show 2 pairs of holding pins 17, 19 mounted on the underneath side of the holding piece, each pair of holding pins located on plates 15 on an underneath side of each end portion of the holding piece 5. The holding pins 17, 19 can be like the swivel pins 99 shown in FIG. 5a , but can also be smaller and of a different length if desired. On an adjoining edge in each side portion of each of TTPs 4 (not seen here) and 6 are sockets 7, 9, 11 and 13 for the two pairs of holding pins 17, 19 to slip into to hold the table 1 a in its compact configuration. Other means of holding the table in its compact form can be used, e.g. one or more U shaped spring clips mounted on the bottom of the holding piece 5, the spring clips would slide over the bottom, underneath surfaces of the adjoining TTPs to hold them together. The holding piece 5 is removable and is removed and stored away to allow conversion of the table 1 a to the table 1 or any configuration requiring TTPs 4 and 6 to be raised into use position. The width of the holding piece is typically less than 2 inches and can be just wide enough to span or almost span the thicknesses of the two TTPs it covers or almost covers.

FIG. 2c is a close-up, partial side view of table 1 a showing the relationship of the holding piece 5, adjoining joining pieces 26, 28, fixed legs 10 and 12 and the 4 TTPs 2, 4, 6 and 8. Two of the several piano hinges 37 and 38 can also be seen, others will be shown in later figures. The piano hinges are what permit the four TTPs to be raised and lowered and what binds them to each other or to the joining pieces 26 or 28.

FIG. 2d , a partial perspective view showing a portion of the top of a table of the invention showing the relationship of raised TTPs 2, 4 with the intermediate joining piece 26. In this view these pieces are veneered and trimmed on their edges with separate pieces of a different wood. Marine plywood can also be used for the TTP's with any kind of veneer on the large faces and any kind of wood, metal or plastic trim on the edges. The TTP's can also be made of any kind of material used to make panels for work or eating surfaces. For economical tables, the underneath sides of the TTPs need not be veneered, but can be painted or simply stained, especially the TTPs on the two ends of the table. The materials for the TTPs just described also goes for the joining pieces 26, 28, and others on 5 or more TTP tables, and their undersides need not be veneered, especially for economical tables. The underside of the holding piece 5, and others, should match the tops of the TTPs, but need not do so and its/their undersides need not even be painted or stained unless desired. Again, the cores of the TTP's can be lightweight and any of known lightweight cores having the necessary strength, as described herein and others known in the art are suitable to reduce weight, cost or both.

FIG. 3, a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1, but having only the end two TTPs in a raised position for seating up to 10 people, usually from 4 to 6 or 8 people. This table can be set up from table 1 a having one TTP against or very close to a wall by simply turning it ninety degrees and moving it out from the wall far enough to allow chairs along one side.

FIG. 3a , a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 with only two of the four TTPs in the up position, but in a different arrangement than FIG. 3, for seating up to 4-6 people. This table can be set up in a similar manner to the table of FIG. 3, but in this case the holding piece 5 must be removed and stored.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a table 1 b of the invention with just one TTP. 8, in a raised, use position providing eating or other use for up to 5 people, particularly if one or two are small. The TTP is supported by an extendable type SOL 24 a (see FIG. 6), but in a non-extended configuration, with its top surface in contact with the underneath surface of TTP 8. This configuration, which is also very compact, provides a good, and often adequate, eating and work surface for kitchen, a breakfast room, a small dining room or other small room like an office or bedroom.

FIG. 5, a perspective view the underside of table 1 b in one of the embodiments of the invention. Here, only one TTP, 8, is in a raised position being supported by the supporting leg 49 a of SOL 24, as shown in FIG. 4, in a non-extended configuration. As shown here and in other figures, the SOL 24 comprises a swivel piece 53 to which one end of each of an upper lateral piece 63 and a lower lateral piece 67 is securely fastened, e.g. with a glued tongue and groove or other known means, with the other ends of the lateral pieces 63 and 67 being attached to the leg 49 as shown in FIG. 6. The swivel piece 53 is attached to the upper cross piece 36 and the lower cross piece 32 with swivel pins in holes of both cross pieces as shown in FIG. 5a . The notch 57 is so that the leg 49 a can swing in as far as possible to produce the compact table 1 a shown in earlier figures. Each of the lower and upper cross-pieces have such notches 54, 55, and 56 for the supporting legs of the three other SOLs. Here SOL 22 is shown in a tucked position as the TTP 6 it supports is folded down. FIG. 5a shows how the swivel pieces 50, 51, 52, and 53 of the four SOLs in table of FIG. 1 mount to the lower and upper cross pieces, 30, 32, 34 and 36 respectively. FIG. 5a is a partial perspective view of a swivel piece 53 having swivel pins 98 and 99 in each end that fit into holes or sockets in the upper cross piece 36 and the lower crosspiece 32 of the SOL, allowing the SOL to swing out with minimum resistance.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view showing the outer portion of two types of an extendable SOL 24 a in extended configuration according to the invention. Here the extendable SOL 24 a's upper lateral 63 is extendable using a single rod or pipe 69 secured to the supporting leg 49 a by being glued or otherwise secured in a hole 70 in the supporting leg 49 a with the rod or pipe 69 being inside the upper lateral piece 63 in a tunnel 71 such that when the supporting leg 49 a is pulled outward the rod or pipe 69 slides in the tunnel 71 until the leg 49 a is in the desired location providing improved support for the TTP 8. A pipe or tube is preferred over a rod for element 69 due to the lower weight of a pipe or tube, or the same weight for a larger diameter pipe that will provide better stability. The lower portion of leg 49 a is extendable using two spaced apart rods or pipes or tubes 72, 73 that are secured to leg 49 a in the same manner as rod or pipe 69 in holes 74, 75 and mounted in tunnels 76 and 77 in the lower lateral piece 67 in the same manner as rod or pipe or rod 69. It is thought that while the type of extension shown in lower lateral piece 67 might provide some better stability than using only one rod or pipe or tube 69, it nevertheless is more expensive to produce. FIG. 6a is a cross section of upper lateral piece 63 (could also be that of lower lateral piece 67) showing what it would look like using any one of four ways to make the SOL extendable disclosed specifically herein. This upper lateral piece 63 can have one tunnel 71 for the rod or pipe or tube 69 and/or two tunnels 76, 77 for the two rods or pipes 72, 73, and/or as many brackets 78 for supporting one or two exterior slide pieces 79, bars or channels, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b on either one side of lateral pieces 63 and/or 77 or on both sides of one or both lateral pieces. Several ways of providing for extension of supporting legs like leg 49 a and any combination of these ways can be used as desired. Also, extendable SOLs can be use on any number of the SOLs on any of the tables of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the underneath side of a portion of the table of FIG. 1 with one of its TTPs 8 lowered and one of the extendable swing-out-legs 24 a of the invention swung out into its prior art supporting place in an un-extended configuration. In this configuration of FIGS. 1 and 7 the ratio of the reach of the supporting leg 49 a support location to the length of the TTPs is about 0.5, the reach being the distance from the center-line of the swivel pin to the outer edge of the supporting leg 49 a. The ratio of the reach to the width of the TTPs is about 0.6. When the supporting leg 49 a is extended up to 10 or 12 inches to put the supporting leg 49 a to position 81 the ratio of reach to length of the TTPs is at least 0.7 and to the width of the TTPs is at least 0.85 in this embodiment. For loaded tables of the invention a reach to the length of the TTP ratio of at least one of the SOLs of 0.6 is desired, preferably a ratio of at least 0.65 or 0.7 and more preferably a ratio of at least 0.75 or 0.8, with or without a ratio of the reach to the width of the TTP of at least 0.65 is desired, preferably at least 0.7 and more preferably at least 0.75 or 0.8 is desired.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the underneath side of a portion of another table of the invention similar to the table of FIG. 1, but having a different underside structure and one or more SOLs 24 b r 24 ab supporting the TTP 8 according to the invention. This embodiment provides a greater reach of the SOL without using an extendable SOL. This is done by moving the fixed legs like 14 and 16 out closer to the outer sides of TTPs 6 and 8 and to the outer edges of the joining piece 28, and also by then moving the swivel pieces out towards the fixed legs, e.g. compare relationship of the centerline of the swivel piece 53 to the side edge of TTP 8, and outer edge of the joining piece 26, compared to what it is in FIG. 7. Fabricating the table in this manner allows the reach of the SOL 24 b to be large enough to produce the ratios described in the previous paragraph for the extendable SOLs. Of course, The SOL 24 b shown in FIG. 8 can also be fabricated to be extendable, 24 ab, to produce even higher ratios for the most support of one or more TTPs, each supported with only one SOL, or supported with two SOLs as shown in FIG. 9 below.

FIG. 8a shows several fixed leg cross sections of many more possible shaped fixed legs suitable for the invention. Cross section 82 is a square, 83 a rectangle, 84 a circle, 85 an oval, 86 a long oval, 87 a half oval, 88 a triangle, 89 a trapezoid, 90 an arc, 91 a turned leg and 92 being the kind of fixed legs used on the tables shown in the Figures herein that are photographs. The fixed or semi-fixed legs can be of many different cross section configurations including turned legs, boards, polygonal shapes of all kinds, pipes, curved shapes like arcs and any other desired shape.

FIGS. 9, a partial perspective view of the underneath side of a portion of a table similar to FIG. 1, but having a double SOL 24 c that as it is swung out it divides into two supporting legs 92 and 93 supporting the TTP 8 in accordance with the invention. Each of the supporting legs 92 and 93 is part of a separate SOL, each having an upper lateral piece 63 a and 63 b respectively. One or both supporting legs 92 and 93 can also be extendable and making supporting leg 93 extendable provides the best support for the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 while using one or more double SOLs on an embodiment like that shown in FIG. 8 provides about the maximum level of support for the TTP(s). On any of the embodiments, using double SOLs provides better support than using single SOLs.

FIG. 9a , a drawing of the upper lateral pieces of an SOL showing one way that an SOL can actually form two SOLs for one or more TTPs according to the invention. The lower lateral pieces are also joined with a hinge 96 like the upper lateral pieces except in the lower assembly the swivel pin, serving as the pivot bolt/pin for the hinge, comes out the lower side to go onto a hole in the lower cross piece as with single SOL swiveling pieces. The supporting legs 92 and 93 in the double SOL are smaller in cross section than the supporting legs in the single SOLs. While the same type of wood, metal or plastic can be used, it is preferable to use stronger materials such as more rigid metal and plastics and wood having a higher modulus of rupture. It is preferred that the wood used for the supporting legs like 92 and 93 has a modulus of rupture of at least 95,000 kPa, more preferably at least 100,000 or 105,000 Kpa. Some examples of such woods include Sweet and Yellow Birch, Rock Elm, several types of Hickory, Sugar Maple and several types of Oak and many other wood species. Also, cross sections of pipes, box channels, often metal or plastic have higher rigidity than solid rods and bars, and are also lighter in weight which is important for these tables of the invention. An optional flat plate 100 around the swivel pin 97, or any swivel pin in the table, is one way of mounting the swivel pins and also can act as a friction reduction member making the SOL easier to swing out into place.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of FIG. 7, but closer up showing more detail. It is a partial perspective view photo of the underside of a TTP 8 joined to a joining piece 28 with piano hinges 38, 95, the upper cross piece 36, fastened to the joining piece 28 with wood screws, holding two SOLs 22 and 24, with one SOL, 24 in supporting position with supporting leg 49.

FIG. 11, a closer close-up partial perspective view of one underside of the table in views shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, this partial perspective view of FIG. 10 showing a cut-out 57 for a leg support, and piano type hinges 38, 39 and 95 joining a joining piece 28 to two TTPs 6 and 8. The piano type hinges 38,39 and 95 are all of the same type. Note that the upper cross piece 36 partially overlaps, partially covers, the piano type hinges it is adjacent to. These same type of piano hinges can also join TTPs 4 and 6 together where there is no upper cross piece like cross pieces 34 and 36, and no fixed legs or lower cross piece.

FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of a portion of the sides of the tops of TTPs 4 and 6 showing an exploded view of side hinge 41 (another side hinge 42, not shown, is on the other side opposite 41). Note that open adjacent notches 44 and 45 are cut into the corners of TTPs 4 and 6 to allow the exposed sides of cover plates 43 a and 43 b of the side hinge 41 to be flush or in alignment with the exposed sides of TTPs 4 and 6. The side hinges 41, and 42 (not shown) on the opposite side of the table are optional, but they do help to keep the TTPs 4 and 6 aligned properly and provide a stronger hinged connection between these two TTPs, and other TTPs in the embodiments having 6, 8 or more TTPs. Side hinges having a different shape can be used in place of side hinges 41 and 42 as long as they provide the same or similar profile and the same or similar type of function. Also, cover plates 43 a and 43 b are optional and function only to cover the screws holding the side hinges to the TTPS. One example of another type of a suitable side hinge 61 is shown in FIG. 12a . It is preferred that these side hinges be made of a non-corrosive metal or alloy such as brass or bronze or nickel, stainless steel or be plated with a non-corrosive metal or alloy to maintain a desired attractive appearance. Each TTP is usually less than 1.5 to 1.25 inches thick and preferably the thickness is less than one inch thick, most preferably less than 0.8 to about 0.4 inch or even less thick. The higher the modular strength of the UP, the thinner it can be to increase compactness and to reduce the weight of the table. The cores in the TTPs have a density of less than 18 pounds per cubic foot, lbs/cubic foot down to 3 lbs./cu. ft. and any specific density within this range. Usually, the lowest density that provides the necessary modular strength and rigidity in the TTP thickness desired is preferred.

While most any kind of material can be used for the TTPs including most any kind of wood, plastic and metal it is preferred to use lightweight wood, plastic and metal cores for or in the TTPs. FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of a typical perforated panel 150, such as plywood, fiberboard, chipboard, oriented strand board (OSB) or low density wood board having spaced apart holes 153 through the board with a board skeleton 152 useful as a lightweight core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention and having a veneer 154 on at least one of the major faces, usually the top face. Preferably a veneer is also on the bottom face of the lightweight core and preferably the veneer on the bottom face is a reinforcing veneer, one that adds modular strength to the TTP it is on. There are many kinds of perforated panels currently available on the market and the lightest ones that still meet the strength required after veneering the top surface, and as desired for the table top, and optionally covering the bottom surface with an attractive veneer or a layer of most any type of modular strength adding fabric or scrim, including glass fiber and/or carbon fiber and/or a polymer fiber fabric. Many types of materials are suitable for these panels instead of plywood such as low-density wood, relatively dense foam plastic, aluminum and the like. In addition to lightweight perforated panels described herein a modification of these panels that are also lightweight can be used. One type of these are those in which the holes, slots, grooves, etc. do not entirely penetrate the board, leaving either a continuous skin, or a skin with smaller diameter or smaller area perforations on one face than the opposite face. With this type of board or panel oriented such that the perforations or large perforations are on the top surface of the TTP it can be veneered while the bottom continuous or more continuous surface would be stronger, provide more modular strength, and could either be left un-veneered or veneered as desired.

FIG. 13a is a partial plan view of another typical perforated panel 160 useful as a lightweight core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention and having a veneer 166 on at least one of the major faces, usually the top face. This known type of lightweight material, for use in cores of TTPs of the invention, has slots 164 or other shape openings to reduce the weight of the panels while maintaining adequate strength with the remaining skeleton 162 of material, especially when veneered on the top side with an attractive sheet layer and optionally on the bottom side as described above. Typically low density plywood is used for perforated panels available on the market having thicknesses of ⅜ to 1 inch thick with 5/16 to 0.5 inch, ⅝ or ¾ inch thick panels being usually preferred in the tables, but any of the perforated lightweight core materials and veneers described with respect to FIG. 13 are also applicable to the lightweight core shown in FIG. 13 a.

When the low density cores described above and below are made using 3D forming, additive material processing, the first layer can be made on the fabric or scrim so it can act as a reinforcing layer on the bottoms of the TTP. A layer of fabric, scrim, foil, or plastic can also be adhered to the bottom of other types of lightweight cores, including those described below, for the same purpose. A layer of veneer of wood or other material can then be adhered to the top of any of these cores to form a decorative top for the TTPs. Metal, glass or ceramic core parts such as honeycomb or similar open pattern core parts, can be made by the known “selective laser sintering or melting” process with the fabrics, foils, plastic sheets and/or wood veneer can then be adhered to the lightweight cores with appropriate known adhesives.

FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of three typical honeycomb panels useful as lightweight cores in one or more of the TTPs of the invention while having a veneer on at least one of the major faces. Any of the veneers described above are suitable and also other known veneering materials. Often these honeycomb cores come with a thin material covering on one or both major surfaces, i.e. on the top and/or bottom of the honeycomb structures and the veneers mentioned here for use on the lightweight honeycomb cores are in addition to those that come with the honeycomb panels, i.e. are adhered to any covering on the honeycomb boards or panels. The material of the honeycomb, or other shape structure, cores can be a metal foil including aluminum foil, paper, cardboard, polymer, polymer foam, foam metal, resin impregnated and/or coated paper and other known materials for such use.

FIG. 14a is a partial plan view of another lightweight core 140, a typical diamond pattern honeycomb panel useful as a core in one or more of the TTPs of the invention after having a veneer applied on at least one of the major faces. This type of lightweight core can be of various shapes including the diamond or triangular shaped structure shown in FIG. 14a as will be obvious to those familiar with lightweight cores. These cores can be made of most any kind of material so long as they have the appropriate strength, stability and endurance. They can be molded or formed with additive material process, 3D printing, using appropriate polymers, preferably with air or gas entrained polymers to reduce weight, and they can also be filled with a very lightweight foam to add further modular strength to the structure. The lightweight core 140 of FIG. 14a has a border piece 141 integrally formed with four quadrants 142, 144, 146 and 148. Each quadrant has a different internal pattern to show just some of the patterns useful in this invention. Quadrant 148 has just two diagonal pieces 147 and 148 integral with each other and the border piece 141. Quadrant 146 has this plus a crossing piece 149 integral with each other and the border piece 141. Quadrant 144 is like quadrant 148 except it has a vertical piece 143 integral with the diagonal pieces 145 and 147 and also integral with the border piece 141. Quadrant 142 is like quadrant 146 except it has a vertical piece 143 integral with the diagonal pieces 145 and 147 and also integral with the border piece 141.

Many types of lightweight cores useful in the invention are described above and it will be recognized that there are many other kinds of lightweight cores useable in the invention. When lightweight cores are used herein it is meant that using the lightweight core in one or more of the TTPs, including any veneer(s) and trim applied, at least one of the TTPs, preferably two or more of the TTP's will have a density of less than about 30-25 lbs. per cubic foot, or less than about 0.48-0.40 grams/cubic centimeter, gms/cc, or any specific density within this range or lower. It is most preferred that the lightweight cores have a density of less than about 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19 or even less than about 18 lbs./cubic foot, i.e. less than about 0.385-0.288, or any specific density within this range. Many types of lightweight cores useful in the invention are described above and it will be recognized that there are many other kinds of lightweight cores useable in the invention.

FIGS. 15 through 15 d are cross sections of typical trim pieces useful on at least two of the exposed edges of the TTPs of the tables of the invention. These trims are only a few of the many possible shapes of trim suitable for the tables of the invention as will be readily recognized. To minimize weight it is desirable to use either as thin of trim as needed to produce the desired attractive exposed edges, a low of density material for the trim, or both. There are three exposed edges on the end TTPs, but only two exposed edges on the two or more interior TTPs of the tables of the invention. While the weight or density of the trim on two exposed edges of the joining pieces and the locking piece is not critical, it is desirable that they match the appearance of the trim on the exposed edges of the TTPs.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the table of the invention with one TTP raised to show another optional feature of the invention whereby when a TTP is raised into a use position a supporting leg 49 on the SOL 24 will be pulled out automatically into a supporting position. FIG. 16 shows TTP 8 in a raised position with the supporting leg 49 in a supporting position and having a bungee cord 118, or tension spring, attached underneath the TTP 8 at 120 and attached to SOL 24, in this instance to the lower lateral piece 67, the bungee cord 118 being in slight or significant tension. As the TTP 8 is raised, the bungee cord 118 is stretched putting it in tension trying to pull the SOL 24 out, but the latter is restrained from moving by the bottom surface of the TTP 8. By the time the TTP 8 is raised enough to free the supporting leg 49 of the SOL 24 the bungee cord 118 is highly stressed, stretched and this tensile force in the bungee cord 118 pulls out the SOL 24 into a supporting position. If the supporting leg 49 is not yet in the desired location the person that raised the TTP 8 can then easily push or pull the supporting leg 49 into the desired position.

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective close up view of a swivel piece 53 of SOL 24 in a swung out position having an optional torsion spring 116 attached to it around its top portion as a different biasing embodiment of the biasing concept described in the paragraph above. An optional second torsion spring 115 is shown at the lower portion of the swivel piece to further enhance thie bias as SOL 24 is swung back into a closed, compact configuration. Also, the bungy cord 118 can be added to the embodiments shown in FIG. 17 and other known means of biasing one or more of the SOLs on the tables of the invention can also be used. When all of the SOLs are not so biased, it is preferred to at least bias the two center SOLs on a four TTP table, and on similar situations with 6 or 8 TTP tables. This biasing concept is also applicable to the SOLs that separate into two SOLs as shown in FIG. 9.

Metal, plastic and other material linings can be used in any holes or tunnels in the parts of the table in which a swivel pin or slideable pipe, rod or bar is located to prevent or greatly reduce friction between the surface of the hole(s) or tunnel (s) and the slidable or swiveling part. For ease of the SOLs moving into position, it is preferable to have a smooth, slick surface on the tops, and even on the bottoms of the supporting legs where they will contact the underside of the TTPs. Suitable materials include a thin layer of Teflon®, foil, plastic, varnish, silicone and the like adhered to the top surface of the supporting legs of the SOLs, and if desired, also to the arc on the underside of the TTPs that the tops of the supporting legs will make when the SOLs swing out to the desired supporting positions. Finally, the tables of the invention can be coated in any known manner as is conventional for furniture and for the intended use or uses.

When the word “about” is used herein it is meant that the amount or condition it modifies can vary some beyond that stated so long as the advantages of the invention are realized and the concept of the invention is maintained. Practically, there is rarely the time or resources available to very precisely determine the exact limits of all the parameters of one's invention because to do so would require an effort far greater than can be justified at the time the invention is being developed to a commercial reality. The skilled artisan understands this and expects that the disclosed results of the invention might extend, at least somewhat, beyond one or more of the limits disclosed. Later, having the benefit of the inventors' disclosure and understanding the inventive concept and embodiments disclosed including the best mode known to the inventor, the inventor and others can, without inventive effort, explore beyond the limits disclosed to determine if the invention is realized beyond those limits and, when embodiments are found to be without any unexpected characteristics, those embodiments are within the meaning of the term “about” as used herein. It is not difficult for the artisan or others to determine whether such an embodiment is either as expected or, because of either a break in the continuity of results or one or more features that are significantly better than reported by the inventor, is surprising and thus an unobvious teaching leading to a further advance in the art.

Different embodiments employing the concept and teachings of the invention will be apparent and obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art and these embodiments are likewise intended to be within the scope of the claims. The inventor does not intend to abandon any disclosed inventions that are reasonably disclosed but do not appear to be literally claimed below, but rather intends those embodiments to be included in the broad claims either literally or as equivalents to the embodiments that are literally included. 

1. A table comprised of at least 4 TTPs, at least 2 joining pieces, each TTP hinged at one or two adjoining edge(s) with either another TTP or a joining piece, each joining piece having a fixed or semi-fixed table leg located in an end portion of the joining piece, each joining piece having at least two SOLs attached thereto, each SOL attached to the joining piece with a swiveling piece of the SOL permitting the SOLs to swivel to move a supporting leg on each SOL out to support a raised TTP, the ratio of the distance from the center line of the swiveling piece to the outer edge of the supporting leg on at least one of the SOLs to the length of the TTP it supports being at least 0.7.
 2. The table of claim 1 wherein said ratio is at least 0.75.
 3. The table of claim 1 wherein said ratio is at least 0.80.
 4. The table of claim 1 wherein at least two of the TTPs are lightweight having a density of less than about 0.48 grams/cc.
 5. The table of claim 1 wherein the table, when in its most compact configuration has a volume of less than 7.8% of its fully open volume.
 6. The table of claim 1 wherein at least one of the SOLs have a supporting leg that can be extended out from its swivel piece to increase the ratio of the distance from the center line of the swiveling piece to the outer edge of the supporting leg.
 7. The table of claim 1 wherein said ratio is attained by locating the fixed or semi-fixed legs on at least one of the joining pieces to be located at or very near the ends of the at least one joining piece.
 8. The table of claim 2 wherein the density of at least one of the TTPs is equal to or less than 23 pounds per cubic foot.
 9. A table comprised of at least 4 TTPs, at least 2 joining pieces, each TTP hinged at one or two adjoining edge(s) with either another TTP or a joining piece, each joining piece having a fixed or semi-fixed table leg located in an end portion of the joining piece, each joining piece having at least two SOLs attached thereto, each SOL attached to the joining piece with a swiveling piece of the SOL permitting the SOLs to swivel to move a supporting leg on each SOL out to support a raised TTP, at least one of the SOLs opens to produce two spaced apart supporting legs for a TTP.
 10. The table of claim 8 wherein at least two of the SOLs open so that each produces two spaced apart supporting legs for a TTP.
 11. The table of claim 8 wherein at least one of the spaced apart supporting legs for the TTP can reach to at least 0.7 of the length of the TTP.
 12. The table of claim 9 wherein at least one of the spaced apart supporting legs on each of the SOLs for at least two of the TTPs can reach to at least 0.7 of the length of each of the at least two TTPs.
 13. The table of claim 12 wherein at least one of the supporting legs for one of the TTPs can reach to at least 0.75 of the length of the UP.
 14. The table of claim 12 wherein the density of at least one of the TTP's is less than about 0.4 gms/cc.
 15. A table comprised of at least four TTPs, at least 2 joining pieces, each TTP hinged at one or two adjoining edge(s) with either another TTP or a joining piece, each joining piece having a fixed or semi-fixed table leg located in an end portion of the joining piece, each joining piece having at least two SOLs attached thereto, each SOL attached to the joining piece with a swiveling piece of the SOL permitting the SOLs to swivel to move a supporting leg on each SOL out to support a raised TTP, the table in its most compact configuration with all four of the TTPs folded down has a volume of less than 7.8% of its volume when all four of the TTPs are in the folded up into the use position.
 16. The table of claim 15 wherein at least one of the supporting legs for one of the TTPs can reach to at least 0.7 of the length of the TTP.
 17. The table of claim 15 wherein the volume in its most compact configuration is less than about 7.5% of its volume in its longest configuration.
 18. The table of claim 15 wherein the volume in its most compact configuration is less than about 7.5% of its volume in its longest configuration.
 19. The table of claim 1 wherein at least one of the SOLs is biased to swing out into a position to support a TTP when the TTP is raised sufficiently to allow the SOL to swing out.
 20. The table of claim 19 wherein the biasing is achieved with a tension spring, elastic cord and/or one or more torsion springs. 